The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-01


that we shall be governed with wisdom
In our deliberations and have patience
in the discussion of the various questions
which may come before us. Notwith-
standing we cannot expect large rep
resentatioD from the State, we may ex-
pect good attendance from the earn
est people of this town, and interesting
and instructive meetings 1 will now
call upon Rev. M. FL. Houghton, of
Storm Lake, to open the business pro-
ceedings of the Convention with prayer.
Prayer was then offered by the broth
er named. Rev. Ed. Pierce, of Cedar
Falls, was appointed secretary in the
absence of that officer; and committee
on credentials REV. A. Crum, chair
mani was appointed. A partial report
followed from that committee stating
that thirty-one members were present
and the Convention was declared in
order for regular business.
The New Parish at Rock
through its delegate, j. l.. Lovejoy, re-
quested fellowship, and the request was
referred to a Committee, consisting of
Rev. James Gorton, M. H. Houghton,
and A. A. Thayer, who subsequently
reported that the parish was organized
in conformity with the laws of the Con-
vention, and that fellowship be granted.
The report was adopted, thus fellow
Shipping the new parish.
The Customary Vote of Courtesy
to visiting clergymeh, Revs. Drs. De-
marest and Cantwell, was then moved
and adopted, and the brethren named,
received the privileges Of the floor.
Adjourned at o'clock until the evening
service.
First Evening Occasional Sermon.
The special assignment for 7:45 in
the evening, was the Occasional Ser
mon. Rev. M. H. Houghton, of Storm
Lake, was the preacher. A congrega-
ton, large for the evening and the
town, assembled. The Scriptures were
read and prayer offered by Rev. DR..
Cantwell. The sermon was from the
text, John x. 10: II am come that they
might have life and have it more abund-
antly." Theme The more abundant
Life of the Gospel. Following is an
abstract of the discourse, delivered with
out notes, and in an earnest and forci-
BILE manner, making profound impress
sion on the congregation
We are led from the text to infer that
Christ gives life to the world it does not
otherwise possess and one of the great ques-
tions of the age is What constitutes that life?
~ Let us look upon it negatively and note,
if we can, the life he does not give, and
afterward consider the life he offers unto
all. My object in considering the life we do
not receive through Christ is to show, if pos
sible, the true sphere of religious activities
God works by methods, and has 80 divided
hisI creation as to give to each part special
force or power intended for its guidance. We
do not want to get confused as to the field of
Ohrist's labors. If we do, we shall look for
results inconsistent with Gods plan and SO
be disappointed.
(o) Christ does not give the life of birth.
The natural orders of life are not disturbed
by his appearing. He comes not to modify
the universe or its laws. The life we bring
into the world with us is not added to or
taken from by the work of Christ. People
are born in accordance with plan with which
Jaouo hoa rofbipey dirootIx, 20 do
(b) And in the next place Christ does not
give, as a rule, the life of age. Men reached
their fourscore and ten years prior to and
succeeding the Christian dfspensation. The
flow of the stream of physical life, from birth
to age, is not disturbed in any special man.
ner, by the coming of the Christ. The nat
ural order is maintained.
(c) Again, he does not interfere with the
world of our physical activities that rolls
evermore between the two extremes of birth
and age. We are not saved from storm. pes
thence or accident by Christ. Health and
disease, while to some degree modified by
the power of the Master, are not in the ma
jority of instances, radically changed.
(d) Lastly, he does not give, as a whole,
the life of thought. Greek philosophy ante
dates him. Aristotle laid the foundation of
science, and Prof. Agassiz says" Without Ar
istotle there is no SCIENCE" What he means,
doubtless, is, that the germs OF modern sol
entifc knowledge were planted by that great
scholar and thinker
(2) Having considered briefly the life Christ
does not impart, shall we go forward in
search of the life he offers 80 abundantly to
all?
First: as to its source. Christ does not
pretend to create it. He reveals it. The
from which he draws his strength and it is
this life He offers to whomsoever will receive
it. Christ is the fountain through which the
pure waters of Gods love and mercy flow
forever. The more abundant life is found
in the more perfect knowledge of the Crea-
tor. God as Father becomes of supreme
interest to man as child.
Second: Let us follow the trend of this
river of life as it flows unceasing from the
Christian fountain. tell you it was intend
ed to flow through the great heart OF human
ity. "Give me thine heart" is the gospel
call. When that is cleansed, then will the
germs of love, Joy and peace take root and
grow nightly in power and influence through
the entire life. With full, clean heart the
head will care for itself. The fruits of pure
heart will ripen into living thoughts in the
mind. Do not, then, water the tops, but the
roots. AS dew is to the tops, and as rain is
to the roots, so is inspiration to the mind and
love to the heart. AS church let us try and